A last-minute winner once again paved the way for three points coming home to Berkshire as Maidenhead United defeated Eastbourne Borough on Saturday afternoon.
Ryan Peters made three changes to the starting lineup, with Josh Umerah, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson and Ryan Bartley taking the field. With his one-game suspension not yet in effect, Will de Havilland captained the side.
A rather uneventful start to the afternoon saw United struggle to break down the Sports’ defence. Josh Umerah came the closest with an upwards headed pass to Asher Yearwood which was caught by Rohan Luthra.
It was the bottom-of-the-table side which presented the biggest threat to a clean sheet in the first half. United failed to clear an Eastbourne corner, which allowed Tayt Trusty to deliver to Laiith Fairnie – an opportunity which the defender headed wide.
Arthur Grout also sought the net after receiving a through ball from Isaac Pitblado, with the former’s effort beating Jordi van Stappershoef but also the crossbar.
An offside from a United free kick summed up a lacklustre half as the teams headed into the dressing room level.
Half-time: Eastbourne Borough 0-0 Magpies
The gamechanger needed to revitalise a sluggish afternoon came shortly after the teams returned to the field. Freddie Carter made a clumsy challenge on Josh Popoola with the attacker through on goal, leaving referee Jack Willmore no choice but to give the Sports’ captain his marching orders.
United responded with an early opportunity after long stoppage, as Jayden Mitchell-Lawson played a delightful cross to Umerah, who was inches away from a certain goal as the ball drifted from his reach.
Umerah had the next realistic opportunity, but could not keep his effort from a cleared corner under the bar. Substitute Liam Dulson also couldn’t find the target after cutting on the right, with his shot drifting wide of the post.
The fresh-legged duo of Alfie Pendlebury and Dillon de Silva were the next to threaten Luthra’s posts. Miles Welch-Hayes delivered the throw, and Pendlebury flicked on. De Silva was not quite able to get his shot off as Luthra closed in.
It looked set to be a frustrating afternoon for United until the very end when Dulson produced a moment of magic. Great buildup from De Silva and Harry Pritchard provided Dulson with the opportunity to tee up and shoot, firing past Luthra in the 89th minute.
The Magpies held on through the six minutes of added time, despite a late penalty shout for the hosts.
Full-time: Eastbourne 0-1 Magpies
Eastbourne: Luthra, Quick, Pitblado, Fairnie, Alexander, Angol, May, Carter, Grout (Armitage, 55’), Lintott, Trusty
Magpies: van Stappershoef, Bartley, Ragguette, de Havilland, Welch-Hayes, Yearwood (Pritchard, 86’), Mitchell-Lawson (de Silva, 75’), Robinson, Umerah (Pendlebury, 78’), Popoola, Odelusi (Dulson, 52’)
Attendance: 928
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